Game PC - May 2008
Game PC
Configuration
 |
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 | Processors |
| The Core 2 Duo E8400 is part of Intel's new range of 45nm processors. Though this CPU with a Wolfdale core is only a few percents faster than the last generation of dual-cores, it is much more energy efficient, thus enhancing overclock potential. We choose a dual-core CPU since there are only few games that support a quad-core yet. The money you save that way can be invested in a better graphics card. The E8400 runs at 3 GHz and has a 6 MB L2-cache. | ||
|
Click here for the detailpage of this product. |
||
 |
OCZ ReaperX HPC 4 GB DDR2-1000 CL5 kit | Memory modules |
| Though it has been overkill for a long time, we now advise 4 GB of memory for a game pc. The latest games, including Crysis, use this extra RAM well. Since the memory prices have dropped significantly over the past year, you will no longer have to make an extreme investment to buy 4 GB of RAM. We choose the OCZ ReaperX 4 GB PC2-8000 kit, one of the few high-end DDR2 kits that is available in a 2 x 2 GB configuration. | ||
|
Click here for the detailpage of this product. |
||
 |
Scythe Mugen | CPU coolers |
| The Scythe Mugen (previously known as Infinity) is the ultimate in CPU cooling according to our test results. With both excellent cooling capacity, leaving a lot of margin for overclocking, as well as a very quiet mode for those running their cpu at stock speeds, this CPU is the best possible choice in air cooling. | ||
|
Click here for the detailpage of this product. |
||
 |
Gigabyte GA-X48-DQ6 | Mainboards |
| The X48 is Intel's latest high-end chipset and is in fact a revision of the X38, with added support for the 1600 MHz FSB of Intel's latest Core 2 Extreme CPU. Due to the minimal price difference between the X38 and X48 motherboards, we recommend to go for the X48. The Gigabyte X48-DQ6 is a fine board that makes all the features of the new chipset stand out and uses DDR2 memory. | ||
|
Click here for the detailpage of this product. |
||
 |
Sapphire Radeon HD 3870 X2 1 GB | Graphics cards |
| The Radeon HD3870X2 is ATI's newest graphics card, combining the power of two R670 GPU's. With this they have created one of the fastest graphics cards in the world. On top of that the 3870 X2 is entirely up-to-date with DirectX 10.1 support. Due to ATI's excellent price/performance ratio we recommend this card for a game pc. For those wanting an even better 3D-performance, it is possible to add a second X2 card on the chosen Intel X48 motherboard. Based on our recent comparison test, we choose Sapphires card, which has a very good pricing. | ||
|
Click here for the detailpage of this product. |
||
 |
2x Samsung Spinpoint F1 320 GB in RAID 0 | Hard disks/SSD's |
| Few things are so annoying as waiting an eternity for the next level to load. That's why we elected to configure two harddisks in a RAID 0 array. The disks of choice are Samsung's Spinpoint F1 320GB drives, which our tests show to be very fast. RAID 0 will increase performance even more, and the total storage capacity of 640 GB should last you quite a while. | ||
|
Click here for the detailpage of this product. |
||
 |
Samsung SH-S203D Black OEM | Optical drives |
| These days most DVD writers are equally inexpensive, so why not pick the best? According to our most recent test, that would be 20-speed Samsung SD-S203D, which has the best score when we take speed, quality and value into account. Naturally this burner uses the modern SATA-interface. | ||
|
Click here for the detailpage of this product. |
||
 |
Cooler Master CM 690 | Cases |
| The Cooler Master CM 690 is a good and especially, a cheap case for a game system. The case has a spacious design and offers the opportunity to install any possible hardware inside. There is a lot of attention to the cooling: The power supply is on the bottom of the case, the front panel is meshed, and there is enough room for 12 cm casefans. The case is prepared for people who wish to use watercooling in the future. Cooler Master kept installing the hardware as simple as possible: handy for those that want to upgrade their system. | ||
|
Click here for the detailpage of this product. |
||
 |
Cooler Master Real Power M850 | Power supplies |
| For a fast game PC we recommend a power supply with 750-850 Watts.Though it seems a bit much, it offers enough overhead to add a second high-end graphics card, or even make extreme overclocks to your system. In our last power supply comparison the Cooler Master Real Power M850 came out as the winner in this segment. | ||
|
Click here for the detailpage of this product. |
||
 |
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer (FID) | Sound cards |
| Particularly in a game PC, a separate soundcard is a must, as it increases performance by taking over 3D sound positioning calculations as well as improving realism of soundeffects. Currently there really is only one option for a card like this, Creative's X-Fi series. The Xtreme Gamer version is quite affordable and comes tailored for gamers. | ||
|
Click here for the detailpage of this product. |
||
 |
Logitech G15 v.2 | Keyboards |
| The ultimate keyboard for gamers, complete with an above average Bling factor: we're of course discussing Logitech's G15 Gaming Keyboard. With extra programmable keys and a status display this is the keyboard you want for games. Aside from the useful functions, the G15 looks great, is quite pleasant to type on and has an ergonomic zero-tilt design. Key backlighting ensures you see where you're typing even when in the dark and the best thing: the moment you launch a game, the Windows keys will be disabled so you don't drop back to the desktop right when you wanted to dodge the incoming rocket. | ||
|
Click here for the detailpage of this product. |
||
 |
Razer Diamondback 3G Frost Blue | Mice |
| Recently Razer has equipped it's popular Diamondback mouse with a new 1800 dpi infrared sensor. The new Diamondback 3G has everything to be called the ideal gamingmouse; extremely high precision, seven programmable buttons, extra large anti-slip, buttons, and easy to use drivers. If you still lose at your favorite first person shooter with this mouse, it may be time to start practicing. | ||
|
Click here for the detailpage of this product. |
||
 |
Corepad C1 Medium | Mouse pads |
| With a game PC the right mouse mat is as important as the right mouse. The Corepad C1 is the best according to us: this rubber mat has a cloth surface which offers enough feedback while still being pleasantly smooth. It works equally well with the high resolution, high sensitivity game style as with the high speed, lower resolution style others prefer. It also does a great job with the Razer Diamondback 3G. | ||
|
Click here for the detailpage of this product. |
||
 |
Logitech G51 | Speaker sets |
| The serious gamer has only two options when it comes to sound reproduction: either a good headset or a surround speakerset. We recommend the Logitech G51, a 5.1 surround speakerset with excellent sound that is specially aimed towards gamers. Our tests have indeed proven that these speakers work really well in games. | ||
|
Click here for the detailpage of this product. |
||
 |
ASUS MW221C | Monitors |
| We recommend a 22" monitor for a modern gaming system. There are two things of importance to gamers; a low response time, and if possible, to have no inputlag. In our most recent test the ASUS MW221C did well in both area's. Combined with the friendly pricetag this makes a great solution for gamers. | ||
|
Click here for the detailpage of this product. |
||
3D chips
All-in-ones
Barebones
Case fans
Cases
CPU coolers
External hard disks
Game controllers
Graphics cards
Hard disks/SSD's
Headsets
Keyboards
Mainboards
Memory cards
Memory modules
Mice
Monitors
Mouse pads
NAS devices
Notebooks
Optical drives
Power supplies
Powerline adapters
Printers
Processors
Routers
Servers
Sound cards
Speaker sets
Storage controllers
Systems
Televisions
USB flash drives
Video card coolers
Webcams
